New Zealand Special Interest Tours

The Abel Tasman Walk / Kayak - 5 Days tour takes you through the National Park the best way possible: on foot and by kayak.

Plus, you'll have the luxury of 5 days to explore thoroughly!

One of New Zealand's sunniest areas, the Abel Tasman National Park sits at the far northwest of the South Island. It features lush native forest, golden sandy beaches, impressive headlands, and sparkling rivers, rock pools and ocean bays.

Out kayaking, you may even see a seal colony.

You'll stay in beachfront homesteads, with plenty of options each day, including simply ferrying from lodge to lodge if you'd prefer more relaxation.

Our expert guides will help you get the most from each day, and make sure you're fully briefed to sea kayak in safety.

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Book now for Next Season!

2018 / 2019

Departs:

Tuesdays
Fridays

Shoulder Season Dates!

October 1 to 31
January 20 to 31
April 1 to 30

Shoulder Season Price!

NZ$1950

Dates and Availability?

Tours run:Tuesday, Friday

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Customisations?

We can customise tours to suit.

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Itinerary & Map

For dates, availability & customisations

New Zealand Special Interest Tours

Abel Tasman Walk/Kayak - 5 Days

The Ultimate Abel Tasman National Park Experience

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Combine two days sea kayaking the protected southern coastline and one day walking the lush northern Abel Tasman Coast Track, with an extra day at each of our Beachfront lodges, where you can relax, or choose to explore further into the Park.

Please Note: The direction of this tour may be reversed on some departures, with an earlier start time.

If start/finish times do not suit your schedule, please contact us to arrange alternative options.

Remember: kayaking or walking each day is optional. You are welcome to travel on any of our scheduled ferry services, or you can switch from kayaking to join groups walking that section of the track. The flexibility is perfect for parties travelling together but not wanting to do the same activities. Please discuss options with your guide before each day's departure.

Kayak safety: When sea and weather are calm, sea kayaking requires little skill or strength. However, although the beaches are sheltered, weather conditions can change rapidly, and you may have to paddle against the wind. If you follow our guides' instructions, your kayaking will be safe and fun. Our boat crew will provide full back-up if kayaking becomes too difficult. Double kayaks are used because of their stability, and the ease of having 2 people sharing the paddling.

Day 1: Nelson / Motueka to Awaroa via Totaranui

Welcome to your 5-day Walk/Kayak tour of Abel Tasman National Park, and your action-packed first day. We'll pick you up from Nelson (between 10.30 and 11 am) or Motueka (approx. 11.40 am). If you're driving yourself, please meet us at our Motueka office by 11. 45. Here, you'll meet your guide for the first time, and we'll give you a tour briefing. Then, time for a last minute luggage check before boarding a coach for the short ride to Kaiteriteri.

At 1 pm, we'll take a Vista Cruise (1 hour, 20 mins)to Totaranui Beach inside the National Park. There are open and enclosed viewing decks, hot and cold drinks available, and bathroom facilities on board.

On arrival at Totaranui, we'll regroup for the walk south for about 2 hours (5.5 km + tidal crossing) from Totaranui to our home for the night: Meadowbank Homestead, on the beachfront at Awaroa.

Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are included today.

Day 2: Explore Awaroa

Today is full of choices! Your guide can advise you on which options best suit your fitness, and the conditions.

Approximate times for your walking options today add up to 4 hours, and optional kayaking up to 2 hours (tides permitting). Make your day as active or as relaxing as you wish!

Your options include:

Exploring the park's largest tidal estuary, either on foot or by kayak (tides permitting)

Day 5: Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri to Motueka/Nelson

On this, our final day, we'll paddle along the coast, discovering gorgeous bays and beaches named by French explorer Dumont D'Urville in 1827. We'll cruise along the Astrolabe Roadstead, a safe harbour for yachts and other vessels. Alternatively, visit the beautiful Te Pukatea and Appletree bays, or kayak along the coast of Adele Island, home to many native birds.

If wind conditions are right, your guide will help you hoist a specially-designed sail for riding the sea breeze.

We'll stop for lunch at one of the bays, and then continue on to Kaiteriteri. Our coach will meet you here at about 4 pm, to return you to Motueka (e.t.a. approx. 4.30) or Nelson (e.t.a. 5.30). We wish you well for your further travels, knowing you'll leave with beautiful memories of an idyllic place.

Meals included today are breakfast, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea.**This tour is run in conjunction with another operator.

New Zealand Special Interest Tours

Abel Tasman Walk/Kayak - 5 Days

Accommodation

Days One and Two

Based on an original 1884 homestead the lodge has double/ twin guest rooms with ensuite bathrooms, lounge, dining room and in-house bar.

Days Three and Four

Originally built as a holiday home and extended to 13 bedrooms the lodge has double / twin ensuite rooms on a nautical theme, bar, dining room and outside deck for relaxing.

*Please note accommodation is double or twin share. If single room accommodation is requested, an additional fee of NZ$1107.50 per person is payable to cover this requirement for the duration of your tour.

Food

You will enjoy great local cuisine; continental breakfasts and hearty packed lunches during the day, and either restaurant meals or wholesome home-cooked fare prepared by your host/hostess in the evenings.

If you have any dietary issues or food allergies, we are happy to cater for these, please advise the office of details when you make your booking.

All meals are included in your tour cost. Wine and other beverages are available to be purchased during dinners.

Fully Guided

Our guides are very experienced, friendly walkers and bikers who love to share their knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna and local history. They all hold current first aid certificates, passenger driving licences and are the very best people to ensure your experience will be one to remember.

Staff induction day

End of season staff function

What Do I Bring

The Abel Tasman National Park has the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand. Temperatures are usually comfortable year-round with winter sunshine and summer sea breeze. Summer temperatures average 22°C (72° F). Winters feature light morning frosts and cool nights, to enjoy in front of the lodge fires!

However, pack for all weather conditions, as New Zealand weather can be be changeable.

Please bring these items:

Day pack (or borrow one of our 30 litre day packs). Use a plastic liner inside to keep your day requirements dry.

Personal medication (to be carried each day)

Good sports/hiking shoes (boots may be brought if preferred, but are not necessary for the well-formed track)

Sandshoes, water socks or sports sandals for tidal crossings (jandals, flip-flops etc. are not suitable)

Swimwear and towel (optional)

Sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses

Casual evening clothes

Underwear

Socks, including spare pairs

Sleepwear

Slippers for evening (optional)

Flashlight/torch

Lunch and water bottles (supplied by us)

Camera.

Cotton clothing is not recommended. Cotton (especially denim) is heavy and cold when wet, and is slow to dry.

NOTE: Sun Protection There is a high risk of sunburn due to the park's high sunshine hours and pollution-free skies. The risk applies even on cloudy days. Be sure to use your sunscreen, sunhats and sunglasses.

For walking: Light, comfortable walking shoes are suitable, or worn-in hiking boots if you prefer. You can expect to keep your feet dry, depending on tides and conditions. Occasionally you may have to wade a short distance embarking or disembarking from boats.

For kayaking: We provide spray jackets and buoyancy vests. Bring a spare clothing including warm layers onto the kayak, so you can change into dry clothes if necessary. Please bring suitable footwear for walking on beaches, in case weather conditions necessitate a beach landing, or in case you just want to explore. Sneakers or light shoes/sandals are suitable. Shoes without heel attachments (e.g. jandals, flip-flops, etc) are NOT suitable.

Footwear for use in the kayak itself is optional. Many people find rubber water socks more comfortable than going barefoot, as the socks prevent their heels rubbing against the kayak.

Day packs will be placed in watertight holds on the kayaks. For important items such as cameras and spare clothes, we will supply a special watertight 'dry-bag'. Please note however that we cannot guarantee to keep your camera or other equipment dry.

Lodge Luggage Bag: We will supply you with a sports bag (47x35x25cm). This bag will be carried by launch to the lodges. We will also supply you waterproof plastic bags. Pack all clothing inside these bags before you pack them into your sports bag. This provides extra protection to keep clothes dry during the boat transfers.

NO HAIRDRYERS PLEASE! Our electricity supply is via generator, and cannot power hairdryers. Battery chargers and electric razors are OK.

Please do not bring tissues or paper towels. They add to litter in the park. Please bring cotton handkerchiefs instead.

PLEASE DO NOT TAKE VALUABLES INTO THE PARK. Jewellery, wallets, travel documents, passports, etc can be stored securely in our office.

CELLPHONE COVERAGE IS UNAVAILABLE IN SOME PARTS OF THE PARK. This applies south of Awaroa. There is no coverage north of Awaroa Bay.

A shop is available at our office, for last-minute purchases of items such as insect repellent, sunscreen, beach towels, flashlights and batteries, and waterproof disposable cameras.

Safety and Risk Management

To ensure maximum safety for all, our guides are certified first aiders and fully qualified drivers. Tuatara Tours operate under a Safety and Risk Management Plan which is regularly audited and approved by a qualified and independent auditor.

Shoulder Season Price!

History

New Zealand Special Interest Tours

Abel Tasman Walk/Kayak - 5 Days

National Park

Perrine Moncrieff, a Nelson conservationist, campaigned to have crown land made into a national park after she became concerned at the prospect of logging along the beautiful coast. Abel Tasman National Park was formally designated as a National Park in 1942.

People

For at least 500 years, Maori have lived along the Abel Tasman coast , gathering food and growing kumara.

Abel Tasman anchored his two ships near Wainui (Golden Bay), in1642. He lost four crew in a fight with the local maori, Ngati Tumatakokiri.

European settlement began around 1855. The settlers logged forests, built ships, quarried granite and fired the hillsides to create pasture.

For a time there was prosperity but soon the easy timber was gone and the hills were invaded by gorse and bracken. Little now remains of their enterprise and the ravaged landscape is slowly healing.

Little Blue Penguin

Aqua waters!

Bush berry

Flora and Fauna

Flora: Black beech covers the dry ridges and headlands, with hard beech where more moisture is available. Kanuka grows where there has been windfall fires. Manuka occurs where repeated burning has taken place.